Newly appointed Canada coach Jesse Marsch has criticized U.S. Soccer over its treatment of him during the process of hiring the U.S. men’s national team coach last year.
Marsch, who previously managed Leeds United in the Premier League, was thought to be the leading contender for the USMNT job after Gregg Berhalter’s contract expired following the 2022 World Cup.
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But in June last year, Marsch’s agent Ron Waxman surprisingly announced he would not be getting the job. The following day, Berhalter was re-hired by U.S. Soccer.
“My respect for U.S. Soccer is big, but I went through a process with them, right? And I’m not going to go into it, but I wasn’t treated very well in the process,” Marsch told CBS’ “Call it What You Want” podcast.
“And so, whatever man, that’s in the past now. The minute it was done I was like, ‘OK, I’m moving forward, and I’m going to figure out what’s right for me.’
“It motivated me again to find the right people. And so now I just want to talk about Canada, because I’m excited. I feel like it’s a fan base and a player pool and a nation that resonates with me. I’ve worked there before, I know a lot of the people involved.”
Marsch was announced as Canada’s new men’s coach on Monday on a contract through the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.
Marsch previously managed Montreal and the New York Red Bulls in MLS as well as working as a USMNT assistant coach under Bob Bradley. After departing the Red Bulls, he led FC Salzburg in Austria and RB Leipzig in Germany.
While working as an analyst for CBS in March, Marsch questioned Berhalter’s selection decisions for the USMNT’s Concacaf Nations League semifinal win over Jamaica, prompting a response from the U.S. coach seemingly directed at his one-time rival for the job.
Marsch, however, played down the rivalry ahead of potential U.S.-Canada matchups. Both teams will take part in this summer’s Copa America in the United States.
“I’m sure we’ll play the U.S. a few times before the World Cup comes around so I’ll be looking forward to those matches,” he said. “Familiarity with things brings out competitive juices.
“The Canadian team has measured themselves against the U.S. for years and that won’t stop now or be more more magnified just because I’m here.
“Our main focus is just how good can we be on home soil come 2026 and how much can we electrify our nation, bring it together and make everybody proud for how the team plays, the successes we can create. And I believe we have big potential to dream big.”